HPLC detection of dopamine and noradrenaline in the cochlea of adult and developing rats

Controllable synthesis of MoS2@TiO2 nanocomposites for visual detection of dopamine secretion with highly-efficient enzymatic activity

Dopamine (DA) plays an essential role in dopaminergic neuronal behavior and disease. However, current detection methods for discriminating the secretion of DA are hampered by the limitations of the requirement for bulky instrumentation and non-intuitive signals. Herein, we have controllably and proportionately integrated molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) to prepare MoS₂@TiO₂ nanocomposites (MoS₂@TiO₂ NCs) via a facile synthesis method. MoS₂@TiO₂ NCs with a certain reactant mass ratio have shown a significant enhancement in peroxidase-like activity with superiority of the nanocomposite structure compared to single MoS₂ or natural enzyme. The method for catalyzing the decomposition of H₂O₂ by MoS₂@TiO₂ NCs and competition for hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) between the chromogenic agent and DA enable a sensitive, specific, and colorimetric DA analysis with a low detection limit of 0.194 μM and a wide linear detection range (0.8 to 100 μM). Because of the favorable detection performance, we were encouraged to explore and finally realize the visual detection of cellular DA secretion that is stimulated in a High-K⁺ neurocyte environment. Collectively, this method will provide a promising strategy for basic research in neuroscience with its portable, sensitive, and naked-eye detectable performance.

β-Cyclodextrin-capped ZnO-doped carbon dot as an advanced fluorescent probe for selective detection of dopamine

Selective and sensitive detection of dopamine in presence of other interfering biomolecules using β-cyclodextrin-capped ZnO-doped carbon dot.

Dopamine Modulates the Activity of Sensory Hair Cells

The senses of hearing and balance are subject to modulation by efferent signaling, including the release of dopamine (DA). How DA influences the activity of the auditory and vestibular systems and its site of action are not well understood. Here we show that dopaminergic efferent fibers innervate the acousticolateralis epithelium of the zebrafish during development but do not directly form synapses with hair cells. However, a member of the D1-like receptor family, D1b, tightly localizes to ribbon synapses in inner ear and lateral-line hair cells. To assess modulation of hair-cell activity, we reversibly activated or inhibited D1-like receptors (D1Rs) in lateral-line hair cells. In extracellular recordings from hair cells, we observed that D1R agonist SKF-38393 increased microphonic potentials, whereas D1R antagonist SCH-23390 decreased microphonic potentials. Using ratiometric calcium imaging, we found that increased D1R activity resulted in larger calcium transients in hair cells. The increase of intracellular calcium requires Cav1.3a channels, as a Cav1 calcium channel antagonist, isradipine, blocked the increase in calcium transients elicited by the agonist SKF-38393. Collectively, our results suggest that DA is released in a paracrine fashion and acts at ribbon synapses, likely enhancing the activity of presynaptic Cav1.3a channels and thereby increasing neurotransmission.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The neurotransmitter dopamine acts in a paracrine fashion (diffusion over a short distance) in several tissues and bodily organs, influencing and regulating their activity. The cellular target and mechanism of the action of dopamine in mechanosensory organs, such as the inner ear and lateral-line organ, is not clearly understood. Here we demonstrate that dopamine receptors are present in sensory hair cells at synaptic sites that are required for signaling to the brain. When nearby neurons release dopamine, activation of the dopamine receptors increases the activity of these mechanosensitive cells. The mechanism of dopamine activation requires voltage-gated calcium channels that are also present at hair-cell synapses.

Dopaminergic modulation of the voltage-gated sodium current in the cochlear afferent neurons of the rat

The cochlear inner hair cells synapse onto type I afferent terminal dendrites, constituting the main afferent pathway for auditory information flow. This pathway receives central control input from the lateral olivocochlear efferent neurons that release various neurotransmitters, among which dopamine (DA) plays a salient role. DA receptors activation exert a protective role in the over activation of the afferent glutamatergic synapses, which occurs when an animal is exposed to intense sound stimuli or during hypoxic events. However, the mechanism of action of DA at the cellular level is still not completely understood. In this work, we studied the actions of DA and its receptor agonists and antagonists on the voltage-gated sodium current (INa) in isolated cochlear afferent neurons of the rat to define the mechanisms of dopaminergic control of the afferent input in the cochlear pathway. Experiments were performed using the voltage and current clamp techniques in the whole-cell configuration in primary cultures of cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Recordings of the INa showed that DA receptor activation induced a significant inhibition of the peak current amplitude, leading to a significant decrease in cell excitability. Inhibition of the INa was produced by a phosphorylation of the sodium channels as shown by the use of phosphatase inhibitor that produced an inhibition analogous to that caused by DA receptor activation. Use of specific agonists and antagonists showed that inhibitory action of DA was mediated both by activation of D1- and D2-like DA receptors. The action of the D1- and D2-like receptors was shown to be mediated by a Gαs/AC/cAMP/PKA and Gαq/PLC/PKC pathways respectively. These results showed that DA receptor activation constitutes a significant modulatory input to SGNs, effectively modulating their excitability and information flow in the auditory pathway.

GSK-3β dysregulation contributes to parkinson's-like pathophysiology with associated region-specific phosphorylation and accumulation of tau and α-synuclein

Aberrant posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of proteins, namely phosphorylation, induce abnormalities in the biological properties of recipient proteins, underlying neurological diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD). Genome-wide studies link genes encoding α-synuclein (α-Syn) and Tau as two of the most important in the genesis of PD. Although several kinases are known to phosphorylate α-Syn and Tau, we focused our analysis on GSK-3β because of its accepted role in phosphorylating Tau and to increasing evidence supporting a strong biophysical relationship between α-Syn and Tau in PD. Therefore, we investigated transgenic mice, which express a point mutant (S9A) of human GSK-3β. GSK-3β-S9A is capable of activation through endogenous natural signaling events, yet is unable to become inactivated through phosphorylation at serine-9. We used behavioral, biochemical, and in vitro analysis to assess the contributions of GSK-3β to both α-Syn and Tau phosphorylation. Behavioral studies revealed progressive age-dependent impairment of motor function, accompanied by loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH+ DA-neurons) neurons and dopamine production in the oldest age group. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed deterioration of the substantia nigra in aged mice, a characteristic feature of PD patients. At the molecular level, kinase-active p-GSK-3β-Y216 was seen at all ages throughout the brain, yet elevated levels of p-α-Syn-S129 and p-Tau (S396/404) were found to increase with age exclusively in TH+ DA-neurons of the midbrain. p-GSK-3β-Y216 colocalized with p-Tau and p-α-Syn-S129. In vitro kinase assays showed that recombinant human GSK-3β directly phosphorylated α-Syn at a single site, Ser129, in addition to its known ability to phosphorylate Tau. Moreover, α-Syn and Tau together cooperated with one another to increase the magnitude or rate of phosphorylation of the other by GSK-3β. Together, these data establish a novel upstream role for GSK-3β as one of several kinases associated with PTMs of key proteins known to be causal in PD.

Activation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the lateral efferent terminals by sound conditioning

Preconditioning to sound is a well-documented strategy to provide protections against a subsequent acoustic trauma. In the present study, preconditioning (1.0 kHz tone at 81 dB sound pressure level (SPL) for 24 h) protected ABR thresholds by 17-28 dB from an acoustic trauma (2.7 kHz, 103 dB SPL, 30 min) that resulted in a temporary threshold shift. The protection afforded by sound conditioning was shown to be blocked by the administration of 6-hydroxydopamine which disrupts tyrosine hydroxylase in the nerve terminals of the lateral efferent fibers. Furthermore, tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity was up-regulated both by sound conditioning alone, and by the combined treatment of sound conditioning and acoustic trauma. In contrast, acoustic trauma alone resulted in a reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity compared to unexposed controls. These findings are the first demonstration that tyrosine hydroxylase in the lateral efferents are up-regulated during sound conditioning and suggests a role for the lateral efferent system in protecting against acoustic trauma by sound conditioning.

Simultaneous HPLC quantification of monoamines and metabolites in the blood-free rat cochlea

Monoamine quantification in peripheral sensory receptors, such as the cochlea, is of major interest since monoamines could play a role in neurotransmission. A three-step biochemical protocol was developed to analyze monoamine content within the cochlea. Removal of the blood by aortic perfusion was carried out with an anticoagulant solution prior to the dissection of the cochlea from the temporal bone. The cochlear monoamines and some of their metabolites were then quantified, from homogenated cochlear tissue, by a new application of high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection. This method demonstrated enough sensitivity to detect norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and some of their metabolites (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, DOPAC; homovanillic acid, HVA; and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, 5-HIAA). Furthermore, it enabled the demonstration of noise-induced changes in the cochlear concentrations of NE, DA, DOPAC and HVA. In addition, the aortic perfusion allowed removal of the blood-borne 5-HT from the cochlea without inducing systemic alterations or monoamine degradation, as shown by the absence of effects on NE, DA, DOPAC, HVA or 5-HIAA concentrations. The present methodology may constitute a useful strategy to analyze monoamine turnover in the cochlea and other peripheral sensory receptors.

Age- and gender-related changes in the cochlear sympathetic system of the rat

The sympathetic innervation projecting to the cochlea plays an important role in the auditory function, there is, however, no information about whether it is altered with advancing age. High performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection was used to quantify both basal and noise-induced concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) in the rat cochlea. The cochlear concentration of NE was found to be independent of age in adult (3-12 months old) and aged (19 and 24 months old) males and the adult females. However, the concentrations of NE increased in aged females with respect to the younger ones, which suggests an increase in NE synthesis and a reduced NE release. Thus, a prominent gender effect emerged from this study, since the NE cochlear concentration was lower in adult females than in males, but tended to be the same level in aged animals. These modifications could be related to dramatic hormonal changes occurring in females with advancing age.

Changes in the cochlear dopaminergic system of the aged rat

The levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) have been quantified in cochleae of male and female rats aged 3, 6, 9, 12, 19 and 24 months. Animals were exposed for 1 h, under general anesthesia, to: (1) silence (basal conditions) or (2) white noise at 90 dB SPL. Afterwards, the concentrations of DA, DOPAC and HVA were determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection in homogenates of individual cochleae. In basal conditions, the cochlear concentrations of DA, DOPAC and HVA in aged females were higher than in adult ones. The concentrations of DA and DOPAC were also higher in aged males with respect to adult ones. A decrease in DA and an increase in DOPAC and HVA concentrations, with respect to silence, were detected when adult animals were exposed to noise. Meanwhile, aged animals showed either a noise-induced increase or no modification of DA and DOPAC with respect to basal levels. Present results suggest age-related failures in DA release and metabolizing mechanisms within the cochlea, together with a compensatory DA synthesis increase. However, the possibility of an initial damage in the primary auditory neurons which could also stimulate the synthesis of DA must not be excluded. Present age-related changes could indicate that the cochlear dopaminergic innervation is affected during the aging process. Since this innervation plays an important role in both the modulation and the protection of the primary auditory neurons, its metabolic alteration could profoundly modify the auditory process.

Dopamine modulates sodium currents in cochlear spiral ganglion neurons

Lateral olivocochlear (LOC) efferent neurons, putatively dopaminergic, synapse on afferent dendrites of type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in the cochlea and depress their activity. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, whole-cell patch clamp recordings were obtained from mouse SGNs. Dopamine (DA), and D1-like (D1, D5) and D2-like (D2, D3 and D4) receptor agonists, reduced AP amplitude and induced a slow transient depolarization. Under voltage clamp, D1-like and D2-like agonists induced a dose-dependent inward current that was reversibly blocked by their receptor antagonists. The inward current was blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX), implicating Na+ channels. The reduction of AP amplitude and voltage-gated Na+ current by DA and DA agonists provides a mechanism for suppressing spike activity in type I afferent neurons.

Serotonergic innervation of the organ of Corti

The olivocochlear efferent system of the mammalian cochlea, which is divided into two lateral and medial bundles, contains numerous neuroactive substances (acetylcholine, GABA, dopamine, enkephalins, dynorphins and CGRP). These have been located at the brainstem in neurons belonging to the lateral superior olive (lateral efferent system) or in neurons of the periolivary region around the medial superior olive and the trapezoid body (medial efferent system). All of these substances were found in well-characterized projections corresponding to lateral and medial nerve fibres and terminals which connect to the type I afferent dendrites and the outer hair cells, respectively. All could be involved in the modulation of the auditory process, as is suggested by the cochlear turnover increases observed in some of them (i.e. enkephalins or dopamine) induced by sound stimulation. Recently, the presence and distribution of serotonin-containing fibres has been included in the long list of cochlear neuroactive substances. However, its highly particular peripheral pattern of distribution together with the lack of response to sound stimulation could suggest that serotonergic fibres constitute a previously unknown cochlear innervation.

Neurochemical evidence of dopamine release by lateral olivocochlear efferents and its presynaptic modulation in guinea-pig cochlea

In this study, using an in vitro superfusion technique for the first time, we provide direct neurochemical evidence of the transmitter role of dopamine at the level of lateral olivocochlear efferent fibres of the guinea-pig cochlea. Our results revealed that nerve terminals are able to take up and release dopamine upon axonal stimulation. Since dopamine is thought to protect the afferent nerve fibres from damage due to acoustic trauma or ischaemia, enhancement of the release of dopamine, a potential therapeutic site of these injuries, was investigated. Positive modulation of dopamine release has been shown by a D1 dopamine receptor agonist, an antagonist and piribedil. Furthermore, negative feedback on the stimulation-evoked release of dopamine via D2 dopamine receptors has been excluded. Electrical stimulation of the cochlear tissue produced a significant and reproducible release of [3H]dopamine, which could be blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 microM) and cadmium (100 microM), proving that axonal activity releases dopamine and its dependence on Ca2+ influx verifies its neuronal origin. Nomifensine, a high-affinity dopamine uptake blocker, prevented the tissue from taking up [3H]dopamine from the bathing solution, also indicating the neural origin of dopamine released in response to stimulation. SKF-38393 (a selective D1 agonist) increased both the resting and electrically evoked release of dopamine. Piribedil (a D3/D2/D1 agonist), a drug under investigation, known to prevent acoustic trauma or ischaemia-induced hearing loss, had a similar and concentration-dependent increasing effect on both resting and evoked release of dopamine. The effect of both drugs on stimulation-evoked release could be prevented by SKF-83566 (a selective D1 antagonist). However, SKF-83566 alone enhanced the resting and axonal conduction-associated release of dopamine. D2 agonists and antagonists failed to modulate the release of dopamine, indicating the lack of negative feedback modulation of dopamine release. Our results suggest that the release of dopamine was subjected to modulation by a D1 receptor agonist and an antagonist. In addition, it is concluded that D2 receptors are not involved in the modulation of dopamine release. This observation may have clinical relevance in the prevention or therapy of particular types of hearing loss, because enhanced dopaminergic input into the primary auditory neuron may inhibit the (over)excitation of this neuron by glutamatergic input from inner hair cells.

HPLC detection of serotonin within the rat cochlea

This study was performed to analyse the cochlear concentrations of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), their sources and modifications induced by noise exposure. Superior cervical ganglionectomy did not modify these concentrations. However, removal of the blood by aortic perfusion reduced significantly (about 76%) the cochlear concentration of 5-HT without affecting the 5-HIAA concentration. These results indicate that blood constitutes an important source of 5-HT to the cochlea, opposite to the superior cervical ganglion. Exposure to noise at 90 dB SPL did not modify the total cochlear concentrations of 5-HT and 5-HIAA, or the concentrations remaining after removal of the blood, suggesting that 5-HT could have a modulatory role in the cochlea distinct from that of olivocochlear neurotransmitters.

Effect of superior cervical ganglionectomy on catecholamine concentration in rat cochlea

Both noradrenergic and dopaminergic nerve terminals have been described in the cochlea. The present report focused on the effect of superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGx) on monoamine concentration in adult rat cochlea. In homogenates of whole cochleas, we measured the concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and its main metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), by HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection. Measurements were carried out 4 h, 24 h or 6 days after unilateral SCGx. Most of the NE (approximately 82%) was lost after sympathectomy on the ipsilateral side, indicating that the principal localization of cochlear NE is in peripheral sympathetic fibers. Since about 18% of NE remained detectable 6 days after SCGx, a second origin of cochlear noradrenergic fibers may exist. Cochlear concentrations of DA or its metabolites did not change after SCGx. Therefore, DA and NE are located in two different populations of fibers within the cochlea, and are presumably related to distinct functional roles.

Dopamine regulates the glutamatergic inner hair cell activity in guinea pigs

Recent immunocytochemical and biochemical studies support a possible neurotransmitter function of dopamine (DA) in the efferent olivocochlear innervation of the guinea pig cochlea. However, the physiological role of DA in cochlear neurotransmission remains unknown. In the present study microiontophoretic techniques were used for testing the action of DA as well as D1- and D2-agonists and -antagonists on spontaneous and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)-, kainic acid- or glutamate-induced firing of afferent fibres in the dendritic region of inner hair cells. Subsynaptic spike activities of anaesthetised guinea pigs were recorded after exposing the third or fourth turn of the cochlea for electrode penetration. Application of DA alone had very little effect on the spontaneous afferent firing rate. In contrast, firing induced by NMDA or AMPA could be depressed by additional administration of DA in a dose-dependent manner. A similar reduction of the induced spike activity was seen after co-administration of D1- or D2-agonists. The action of DA on glutamate agonist-induced firing could be blocked by D1- as well as D2-antagonists. These results show that DA can depress the activated firing rate of the afferent fibres and that this action is mediated by both D1- and D2-receptor subtypes.

Quantitative analysis of dopamine receptor messages in the mouse cochlea

Dopamine receptor isoforms were examined in the cochlea of the CBA(J) mouse by RT-PCR analysis and nucleotide sequencing, utilizing primers specific for known dopamine receptor isoforms. Cochlear cDNA sequences corresponding to dopamine D2(long) and D3 receptors were amplified, whereas those representing D1A, D1B, D2(short), and D4 were not detected. Utilizing quantitative competitive PCR analysis, relative levels of dopamine receptor transcripts were found to be 0.002, 0.014, 0.016, and 1.000 for D2(long) cochlea, D3 cochlea, D3 brain, and D2(long) brain, respectively. In the context of previously published findings, the current work provides key quantitative evidence necessary to establish that dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the auditory inner ear.

Presence of catecholamines and serotonin in the rat vestibule

The concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and its metabolites DOPAC and HVA, and serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-HIAA, were quantified in the rat vestibule. For this purpose, homogenates of vestibules, of albino and pigmented rats, were analyzed using HPLC with electrochemical detection. Vestibules of pigmented rats showed higher DOPAC and HVA concentrations than those of albino rats, and male pigmented rats also showed significantly more DA than male albino rats. These results could indicate that the rate of DA metabolism in vestibules was higher in pigmented than in albino rats. The vestibular concentrations of NE and 5-HT did not differ significantly between the two strains. In contrast, 5-HIAA concentration was higher in vestibules of pigmented rats than in those of albino rats, suggesting an increased 5-HT metabolism for the former strain. Differences in monoamine concentrations between the two sexes o the same strain were scarce. Only, a higher HVA concentration in vestibules of females could indicate a higher DA metabolism.

Chemical synaptic transmission in the cochlea

The last two decades have witnessed major progress in the understanding of cochlear mechanical functioning, and in the emergence of cochlear neurochemistry and neuropharmacology. Recent models describe active processes within the cochlea that amplify and sharpen the mechanical response to sound. Although it is widely accepted that outer hair cells (OHCs) contribute to these processes, the nature of the medial efferent influence on cochlear mechanics needs further clarification. Acetylcholine (ACh) is the major transmitter released onto OHCs during the stimulation of these efferents. The inhibitory influence of this system is mediated by post- and presynaptic nicontinic and muscarinic receptors and the role of other neuroactive substances [gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) or nitric oxide (NO)] remains to be determined. The inner hair cells (IHCs) that transduce the mechanical displacements into neural activity, release glutamate on receptor-activated channels of AMPA, kainate, and NMDA types. This synapse is in turn controlled and/or regulated by the lateral efferents containing a cocktail of neuroactive substances (ACh, GABA, dopamine, enkephalins, dynorphin, CGRP). This glutamatergic nature of the IHCs is responsible for the acute destruction of the nerve endings and subsequently for neuronal death, damage usually described in various cochlear diseases (noise-induced hearing losses, neural presbycusis and certain forms of sudden deafness or peripheral tinnitus). These pathologies also include a regrowth of new dendritic processes by surviving neurons up to IHCs. Understanding the subtle molecular mechanisms which underly the control of neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity and neuronal death in cochlear function and disease is a very important issue for the development of future therapies.

Effects of a dopaminergic agonist in the guinea pig cochlea

This study investigates the role of dopamine, a putative lateral efferent neurotransmitter/modulator, in cochlear physiology and physiopathology. Cochlear potentials were recorded in guinea pigs after intracochlear perfusion of increasing doses (0.1-1 mM) of piribedil, an agonist of the D2/D3 receptors. A dose-dependent reduction in the amplitude of auditory nerve compound action potential (CAP) was observed, predominantly at high-intensity tone-burst stimulations, and without significant effect on CAP threshold. There was no variation of cochlear microphonic and summating potential. When 1 mM piribedil was perfused into the cochlea during continuous 130 dB SPL pure tone exposure (6 kHz, 15 min), CAP threshold shifts were significantly less than in control animals with artificial perilymph-perfused cochleas. No dendritic damage was observed, although there was evident hair cell damage. Similarly, radial dendrites were clearly protected against ischemia-induced damage when 1 mM piribedil was applied prior to a 10-min ischemia. These results suggest that dopamine modulates the activity of radial afferent fibers via D2/D3 receptors. The protective effect of piribedil during acoustic trauma or ischemia suggests that this modulation corresponds to a prevention of excitotoxicity due to dysfunction of inner hair cell neurotransmission.

Neurotransmitters of the olivocochlear lateral efferent system: with an emphasis on dopamine

The olivocochlear lateral efferent system (OLES) of the adult mammalian cochlea uses variety of neuroactive substances, such as acetyl choline, GABA, dopamine (DA), enkephalins, dynorphins and CGRP. These neuroactive substances have been located within the efferent, small and dense matrix, fibers and terminals of the inner spiral and tunnel bundles. However, some of these neuroactive substances have also been found outside the OLES. Acetyl choline and CGRP, for instance, appear within the olivocochlear medial efferent fibers, and DA and CGRP may also be present in the perivascular innervation. A special case is GABA innervation at the apical coil, where nerve fibers containing GABA also make synapses with OHCs bodies. All these substances of the OLES could be involved in a highly selective filter modulating the activity of primary afferent fibers. For instance, sound stimulation results in an increase of cochlear DA turnover, indicating the release of DA from OLES fibers. DA probably acts on D-2 receptors since the administration of piribedil, a D-2 agonist, results in blocking of noise effects, while D-1 receptor stimulation does not modify cochlear DA turnover induced by noise. Therefore, DA could play an important role in the modulation and noise-protection of cochlear primary afferents. During cochlear development, all the aforementioned neuroactive substances appear a long time before the onset of hearing (evidenced by the recording of cochlear compound action potential and microphonic potentials). Thus, they may act during development on the late reorganization and plasticity on the afferent and efferent fibers. Moreover, the positive neurotrophic effect observed in cultured cochlear neurons, with GABA or glutamate, add new support to that hypothesis.

Choline-acetyltransferase-like immunoreactivity in the organ of Corti of the rat during postnatal development

The mammalian cochlea receives efferent innervation from neurons located in the superior olivary complex. This efferent olivocochlear innervation is divided in two separate systems, lateral and medial, which mainly innervate afferent dendrites connected to inner hair cells and the cell body of outer hair cells, respectively. Besides other substances, lateral and medial efferent terminals of the adult cochlea use acetylcholine (ACh) as a neurotransmitter. In this study, we have used immunocytochemistry to detect the presence of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the synthesizing enzyme of ACh, in efferent olivocochlear terminals during the development of the rat. The appearance and distribution of immunoreactivity to ChAT has been studied in developing rat cochleas from birth (postnatal day 1, P1) to adulthood. Attention was paid to the temporal relationships between the expression of ChAT, the presence of other putative neuroactive substances, the onset of hearing and other developmental phenomena. Our results indicate that ChAT-like immunoreactivity is already present at birth (P1) in the region of inner hair cells, that it appears at P3 in the outer hair cell area and that it reaches an adult pattern of distribution by P15. ACh may thus be present early in the developing cochlea, before the onset of hearing, as it also occurs with other putative transmitters/modulators such as enkephalins, CGRP or GABA. It is suggested that ACh could be involved in the modulation of sound-evoked potentials as soon as they appear, and in the regulation of other developmental phenomena such as neurite outgrowth or synaptogenesis.

Piribedil affects dopamine turnover in cochleas stimulated by white noise

The presence of dopamine (DA) within the cochlea has been previously reported, indicating that its turnover increases under noise stimulation. In the present report, piribedil, a dopaminergic D2 agonist, was used in order to provide evidence of the activity of D2 receptors in the turnover of DA under noise stimulation. Long-Evans rats were intraperitoneally injected with distilled water or with a solution of piribedil one hour previously to either noise or silence exposure. Noise stimulation was performed in an anechoic chamber at 70, 90 or 110 dB SPL for one hour. The animals were then sacrificed and the cochlear contents of DA and its metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were quantified by HPLC with electrochemical detection. The administration of piribedil to animals kept in silence did not modify the cochlear DA, DOPAC and HVA content. Noise stimulation resulted in a decrease of the cochlear DA content and an increase of the cochlear DOPAC and HVA contents in vehicle treated animals. The administration of piribedil resulted in a blockade of this noise induced cochlear DA turnover. These results suggest that piribedil stimulates cochlear D2 receptors controlling the cochlear DA release. Piribedil action on D2 receptors could explain the improvement observed in some cochleo-vestibular diseases signs after piribedil treatment.

Lateral and medial efferents: a double neurochemical mechanism to protect and regulate inner and outer hair cell function in the cochlea

In the mammalian cochlea, the two types of hair cells drastically differ in their anatomy and physiology. Each system receives a specific efferent control originating in the brainstem superior olivary complex. Inner hair cells are connected to the afferent type I ganglion neurons (comprising 95% of the auditory nerve) which postsynaptically receive the input of the lateral efferents. On the other hand, outer hair cells, whose electromotile properties are responsible for the active mechanism, are directly under medial efferent control. Neurochemically, both types of efferents are also well distinguished. The present paper reviews the efferent neurochemistry and pharmacology, with an emphasis on the protective roles of each system on cochlear function. The role of lateral efferent neurotransmitters such as enkephalins and dopamine in protecting the auditory nerve dendrites against excessive noise and/or excitotoxicity is especially addressed. The cholinergic medial efferents synapsing with the outer hair cells play a role in altering and/or modulating cochlear micromechanics. They could also be involved in a potentiating effect on aminoglycoside ototoxicity.

Ontogeny of gamma-aminobutyric acid in efferent fibers to the rat cochlea

Cochlear efferent innervation originates in two different groups of neurons located in the superior olivary complex. A first group of olivocochlear neurons (lateral efferent neurons) lies in the lateral superior olive. They send axons to the organ of Corti, where they synapse with radial afferent dendrites of primary auditory neurons, postsynaptic to the inner hair cells. The second group of neurons (medial efferent neurons) is found in medial subnuclei of the superior olivary complex and sends axons to synapse with outer hair cells. Subpopulations of both medial and lateral olivocochlear neurons probably use gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a neurotransmitter. We have used an immunoperoxidase technique to detect GABA-like immunoreactivity (GABA-LI) in postnatal maturing rat cochleas. The GABA-LI appeared in the inner hair cell region by P3 (P1 = birth) and reached a mature appearance by P15-P16. In the outer hair cell region, GABA-like immunoreactive fibers and terminals could not be identified until P9 and they were only found in the apical end of the cochlea. There was a dual gradient of maturation of GABA-LI in the cochlea. The GABA-LI appeared first at the cochlear base and then extended towards the apex. It also appeared earlier (about a week) in the inner hair cell region than in the outer hair cell region. This dual gradient of maturation is in close agreement with previous data concerning the maturation of the cochlea.

Presynaptic fibres of spiral neurons and reciprocal synapses in the organ of Corti in culture

Isolated segments of the newborn mouse organ of Corti were explanted together with the spiral ganglion components. Within the innervation provided by the spiral neurons, we observed presynaptic vesiculated nerve endings that form reciprocal ribbon-afferent/efferent synapses with inner hair cells. These intracochlear presynaptic fibres are characteristically located between adjoining inner hair cells, on the modiolar side, low and close to the supporting cells. The presynaptic fibres display different modes of synaptic connectivity, forming repetitive reciprocal synapses on single inner hair cells or on adjoining hair cells, or connecting adjoining inner hair cells through simultaneous efferent synapses. Many presynaptic fibres exhibit a distinctive ultrastructure: defined clusters of synaptic vesicles, dense core vesicles, coated vesicles, and mitochondria. These organelles occur focally at the synaptic sites; beyond the efferent synaptic specializations, the endings appear quite nondescript and afferent-like. We believe that the reciprocal synapses, although observed in cultures of the organ of Corti, represent real intracochlear synaptic arrangements providing a feedback mechanism between the primary sensory receptors and a special class of spiral ganglion cells that have yet to be recognized in the organ in situ.

Effects of noise stimulation on cochlear dopamine metabolism

Dopamine (DA) appears to be one of the putative neurotransmitters of the lateral efferent olivocochlear fibers. However, its role in the cochlear physiology remains unknown. In this study, animals were exposed for 1 h to white noise at 70, 90 or 110 dB SPL or were kept in silence conditions. Afterwards, the cochlear content of DA and its metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were analyzed using HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection. Cochlear DA concentration decreased with the noise intensity, while cochlear DOPAC and HVA concentrations increased. Males presented higher cochlear DOPAC contents and lower HVA contents than females. This sexual dimorphism could be related to the link between DA and gonadal steroids. Present results show that DA, as other lateral efferent neurotransmitters, is released and metabolized in relationship with the noise stimulation, and suggest that DA could be involved in the modulation of the type I afferent fiber activity.

Dopaminergic lateral efferent innervation of the guinea-pig cochlea: immunoelectron microscopy of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes and effect of 6-hydroxydopamine

We have used an immunocytochemical approach to gain further data supporting a possible neurotransmitter or neuromodulator function for dopamine at the level of efferent (olivocochlear) innervations of the guinea-pig cochlea. Immunofluorescence screening was first done on cochleas two or seven days after infusion with the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. Two days after neurotoxin perfusion, the intensity of the tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity was decreased in the inner and tunnel spiral bundles of the organ of Corti (and in known noradrenergic sympathetic fibers outside this organ), with respect to the control contralateral cochleas. In cochleas screened seven days after 6-hydroxydopamine infusion, no tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity could be found in the organ of Corti. Only occasional faint fluorescence could be detected in sympathetic fibers. In another set of experiments, a pre-embedding immunoperoxidase technique was used to localize tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, another catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme, at the ultrastructural level. With both types of antibody, the same kind of results were observed. Immunoreactivities were only seen in vesiculated fibers within the inner and tunnel spiral bundles, thus are likely in lateral efferent varicosities. These immunostained fibers accounted for approximately half of the efferent profiles in the inner spiral bundle. Within this bundle, the immunoreactive fibers established axodendritic synapses with the radial afferent processes of type I neurons which contacted the inner hair cells. In no case was immunoreactivity to either enzyme observed in the outer hair cell region, at the level of medial efferent terminals. The synaptic localization of tyrosine hydroxylase- and aromatic amino acid decarboxylase-like immunoreactivities in the lateral efferent varicosities of the inner spiral bundle, as well as the effect of 6-hydroxydopamine on the tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity in this same bundle, further support the hypothesis that a catecholamine could act as a lateral efferent neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. Based on previous data reporting a lack of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity within the organ of Corti, and the effectiveness of a D2 agonist on the cochlear compound action potential of the auditory nerve, this catecholamine could well be dopamine.

Pathophysiology of the glutamatergic synapses in the cochlea

The synapses between the inner hair cells (IHCs) and the radial auditory dendrites are thought to be glutamatergic. Besides its fast excitatory properties, glutamate is known to be neurotoxic when released in excess or incompletely recycled. In the cochlea, this may occur in two pathological conditions: ischemia and noise trauma. We have further investigated the acute excitotoxicity (i.e. the swelling of type I afferent dendrites) by electron microscopy processing on guinea pig cochleas after an ischemic exposure lasting 5 to 40 min. The radial auditory dendrites reacted to ischemia in a time-dependent manner, with the swelling extending when the duration of ischemia increased. The type and the specificity of swelling were comparable to what acutely occurs after an exposure to glutamate analogs such as kainic acid or AMPA. A protection against this swelling was obtained by perfusing the cochlea with glutamate antagonists prior to ischemia. DNQX, an antagonist at AMPA/kainate receptors, had a powerful protective effect, and almost complete protection was obtained by perfusing both DNQX and D-AP5 (a NMDA antagonist). The latter results indicate that the two classes of glutamate receptors (AMPA/kainate and NMDA), both found to be electrophysiologically active at the IHC-auditory nerve synapse, are also involved in the excitotoxic processes. In addition, we also report data involving dopamine (its D2 agonist piribedil) a putative neurotransmitter at the lateral efferent synapses, in a postsynaptic protection of primary auditory neurons during transient ischemia. Altogether, these findings constitute a promising pharmacological approach of cochlear pathologies such as neural presbycusis.